Washington lawmakers feasting on pork

Washington politicians have been accustomed to adding their favorite pork projects to bills they think the president will sign because of the importance of the main portion of the bill.

When such a bill reaches the president, he must sign it, in spite of the pork, or veto the entire bill. He does not have the ability to veto parts of a bill.

The president should be given ‘line item’ veto power but such a bill would never pass the House and Senate.

The House bill, which passed last week, exceeded the administration’s request by $21 billion and included money for spinach growers, peanut storage and citrus farmers.

If the Senate bill goes to conference committee as written, the two chambers may find themselves fighting over the best cuts of pork.

Washington lawmakers try to hide some of their pet projects as they are doing with the $100 million for the political party conventions. $50 million for the Democratic convention in Denver, Colorado and $50 million for the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The $100 million for the political conventions is included in a section described as “Katrina recovery, veterans’ care and for other purposes.”

Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., Monday defended the extra spending, describing it as “common sense and good economics.”

Senator Byrd (pictured), former Ku Klux Klan member, is the king of the pork-barrelers.

A good portion of $20 million is for insect infestation control in Nevada, thanks to Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Politicians love to take big chunks of federal money back to their home state to help insure their re-election.

With no term-limits and no line-item veto, Washington lawmakers feast on pork year after year.

Partial list of pork projects by Sen. Byrd:
(paid for by Federal tax dollars)
Robert C. Byrd Drive, from Beckley to Sophia (Byrd's hometown)
Robert C. Byrd Highway
Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam
Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
Robert C. Byrd Federal Correctional Institution
Robert C. Byrd Freeway
Robert C. Byrd Center for Hospitality and Tourism
Robert C. Byrd Technology Center at Alderson-Broaddus College
Robert C. Byrd Hardwood Technologies Center, near Princeton
Robert C. Byrd Bridge between Huntington and Chesapeake, Ohio
Robert C. Byrd addition to the lodge at Oglebay Park, Wheeling
Robert C. Byrd Community Center, Pine Grove
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships
Robert C. Byrd Expressway, U.S. 52 near Weirton
Robert C. Byrd Institute in Charleston
Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing
Robert C. Byrd Visitor Center at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Robert C. Byrd United Technical Center
Robert C. Byrd Federal Building (there are two)
Robert C. Byrd Hilltop Office Complex
Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park, Hardy County
Robert C. Byrd Scholastic Recognition Award
Robert C. Byrd Community Center in the naval station, Sugar Grove

Senator Byrd is never questioned about his pork spending by the ruling left-wing of the Democratic Party in Washington or by the liberal media because he dutifully votes with Ted Kennedy, Chuck Schumer John Kerry, etc.

Link here and here.